The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1887-01-29
LoTTlE PRUDEN ACQUITTED

for the trial OF Lottie Pruden, indicte
D for killing her infant babe at Chester las
i October. The Court room was earl
packed with people drawn there throug
5 sympathy for the unfortunate girl an
interest in the story Of her hapless rui,
) The ladies gallery was literally iarnme
/ with matrons, maids and misses, all {
} whom listened unblushingly TO the stor
as detailed from the witness stand.
Lottie Pruden is only seventeen year
Of age, rather below average size, goo
figure, fair complexion, hazel eyes, and
remarkably well shaped head with ligh
hair which set off her handsome iorehea,
in an unusually becoming bang. He
face, while pleasantly modest and chast
looking, indicates neither strong will no
any considerable degree OF intelligence
yet is one that would impress a strange
favorabIy. She wore short dress 0
brown material, trimmed with velvet ;
shade darke-. while her collar, cuffs anc
unpretentious ornaments added neal
and pleasant effect, as she sat demurely
in big arm chair beside her foster pa.
rents and next her able counsel, Senator
Werts. She seemed scarcely to fully re.
alize the gravity OF the situation, but
evidently relied upon ma and pa and the
great lawyer at her side to shield and
protect her from any possible impending
harm-and this implicit faith was well
founded. Her very appearance and de>
pertinent was a strong argument, an ear-
nest appeal to the iury-a feature re-
markedly coincdent among Mr.. Werts'
clients. They seem to be all built that
way.
The history OF Lottie Pruden's down
fall is the same old story OF mans per-
fidy and woman's weakness, and may be
hsrged directly to that curse of recent
years, the skating rink. She is the
adopted daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Ste
phen Pruden, reputable and esteemed
citizens of Chester, who lavish upon her
the wealth OF love and affection incident
to their chiidless life. She grew into
girlhood as one OF the most promising
among Chester's maidens. year or
two ago there came to that village peri
patetic photographer. Ernest Berkhart,
who edilyformedLottie's acquaintance
at the skating rink. Her ruin followed in
due course of time, and he left the State.
The sequel is sad, but not uncommon.
Before proceeding to select jury, Mr..
Werts called the Courts attention to a
defective feature of one count in the in
dlctment, not claiming it was sufficient
to quash, however.
Sheriff Gilen drew in all twenty names
from the box, eight of which were chaI-
lenged before the following jury was Sc
lected and sworn Whitfield II. Cock
ran, Stephen Card, John K. Philhower,
James D. Wright, Alexander McCabe,
Charles Stilwell, George Gunther, Abra>
ham II. Vanness, Mahlon Hoagland, Jr.
Francis Carter, Joseph S. Garlic, Frank
Schureman,
Constables Babbitt. frederick ands
Applegate were detailed to take charge
OF the jury.
Prosecutor Cutler opened the case by
briefly detailing what the State expected
to prove.
Edwin S. Pitney was the first witness
sworn, and testified substantially as fol-
lows. know the defendant called at
the Prnden house about o'clock on the
morning in question, and went up stairs
with Mrs. Pruden, when told Lottie that
| had information that child had been
born and that an examination must be
made Both Lottie and Mrs. Pruden de-
MED any birth. l sent for DR.. Case and
told him to make thorough examination,
that if Lottie had not delivered child so
much the better, and if she had, / must
| know it. DR.. Case asked for another
| physician to assist, and Dr. Green was
called in. The two physicians discovered
unmistakable evidence that Lottie had
recently given birth to child. The dead
baby was subsequently found under bed
| tick, with stocking tied about its neck,
black in the face and its tongue protrud-
| ing. Lottie then admitted that she did it,,
| did it all and alone The stocking was
produced and identified by the witness,
who went on and explained that he en-
panneled a Coroners jury and ordered
Drs. Green and Case to make post NOR
| tenn examination. Later in the d8y
learned that Lottie had taken dose of
morphine. She told me that evening after
she partially came to, that she was tired Of
living. On cross examination the Squire
said that he was satisfied that Lottie had
taken the morphine with intent to commit
suicide. A half-hour longer and think
she would have died had not the doctors
restored her.
Mrs. Anna Burr live near the Prudens.
| | saw Lottie about o'clock that morning
| (Oct 18th last) in bed She told me she
was sick | was there again early that
! evening, and saw Lottie and Mrs. Pruden
| in bed room not the one she was in when
| | saw her in the morning her clothing
was much soiled, and asked her how she
! felt, and she said pretty good" In the
other room | saw evidence of recent
ACCOMPLISHMENT; after the child was found
asked Lottie why she did such thing,
and she replied 81 don't know" She
also said that Mrs. Pruden had said
something to her about sleeping all NIGH
lin bed with that dead baby there, and She
answered her (Mrs. Pruden) that she had
put it in the wash stand over night wher
i she was recovering from the dose of NOR
phine she said to me Il wish could die.
Mrs. Sarah VanArsdale-I was at the